Hansen admits to violating probation; sentencing set for April 14

Former Hampton doctor Brian J. Hansen was taken into custody and placed on a $5,000 cash-only bond March 18 after he admitted to violating the terms of his probation in Franklin County District Court.

The plea stemmed from a November encounter in which Hansen made contact with a woman he sexually exploited when he was a physician at Franklin General Hospital. During last Tuesday’s hearing, Hansen admitted he entered the Hampton Casey’s General Store on Nov. 30 despite knowing the victim, named by the court as J.K., was in the building. J.K. was one of seven women listed in a no-contact order stipulated by Hansen’s probation agreement.

On May 30, 2013, Hansen pled guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation by a Counselor or Therapist, a Class D Felony. In addition to the no contact order against the seven victims, he was placed on five years probation in lieu of five years of prison, ordered to register as a sex offender for 15 years, and assessed a $7,500 fine plus potential victim restitution. He was fired from FGH in 2012 and forced to surrender his medical license in October 2013 due to his misconduct.

“I think that what Dr. Hansen has admitted to is enough for me to find a violation of probation, and I do make that finding,” Judge Colleen Weiland said in her ruling Tuesday.

Prior to the judge’s decision, Hansen had the opportunity to dispute the claim listed against him. He denied two specific portions of J.K.’s accusations, but admitted he did violate the no-contact order during the Nov. 30 encounter.

“Your honor, in the reported violation I would deny that I made any eye contact or untoward (inappropriate) looks to the victim, but I do admit to the rest of that violation,” Hansen told the judge. “I was not in the store before J.K. as the violation stated. I pulled into the parking lot and was walking towards the store, but I did not enter the store prior to J.K.”

Weiland pointed out that Hansen’s account didn’t match up with the original claims. She asked Iowa State Assistant Attorney General Susan Krisko, representing the prosecution, if she wanted to rely on his testimony or proceed with an evidentiary hearing, which Krisko felt was unnecessary.

“I don’t believe that there is any dispute that he was not in the store before her, but he did enter after seeing her enter, and almost immediately afterwards. That would be the violation,” Krisko said.

Krisko wanted to bring Hansen’s probation officer to the stand and provide a history of his probation record. She claimed Hansen had made contact with more than one of his victims since his probation took effect in May 2013, and she felt it was important to make that information known prior to the judge’s sentencing.

“The probation officer has noted that there have been several complaints about this kind of activity,” said Krisko. “I’m not speaking to whether or not they’re true. However, the fact that the defendant has, almost since being placed on probation, had this issue discussed with his probation officer and he still chose to do what he did on this day makes it a violation.”

The probation officer never testified, however. Hansen chose to seek delayed sentencing after Weiland made her ruling, which is his right under Iowa law.

Krisko was upset with the sentencing delay and asked that Hansen be taken into custody.

“I would note that an allegation, or not even an allegation, but now a finding of a violation of contact with a victim in sex case is pretty damning,” said Krisko. “He should not still be out walking the streets after that’s been determined. We have a victim in this court who was placed in fear based on what Mr. Hansen did knowing that he wasn’t supposed to – have contact. That’s been determined now.

Weiland agreed, and ordered Hansen into the custody of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. He was placed on $5,000 cash-only bond, which he posted immediately that morning.

A sentencing hearing to determine Hansen’s punishment for violating his probation was set for April 14.